Jackson, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jackson, Mississippi had a total population of 146,631, the 1st largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $42,071, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Jackson is the 1st largest city in Mississippi with a population of 146,631.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Jackson Quick Facts
How Jackson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 146,631 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $42,071 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $108,200 | $111,700 | +3.2% |
How Jackson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Jackson Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Hinds County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 27,195 | $74,745 | 9.6% | $225,800 |
| Byram | 12,799 | $70,445 | 9.1% | $206,600 |
| Raymond | 1,663 | $40,060 | 20.6% | $191,100 |
| Terry | 1,620 | $47,734 | 13.7% | $162,100 |
| Edwards | 930 | $34,722 | 23.2% | $93,400 |
| Utica | 799 | $35,729 | 33.3% | $109,500 |
| Bolton | 597 | $31,250 | 25.5% | $43,100 |
| Learned | 72 | $78,750 | 2.8% | $158,300 |
Cities Similar to Jackson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | 73,003 | $49,919 | $174,600 | 23.6% | 22.8% |
| Hattiesburg | 48,619 | $46,342 | $165,900 | 37.3% | 28.3% |
| Biloxi | 48,861 | $57,204 | $225,100 | 30.6% | 16.4% |
| Southaven | 56,226 | $78,483 | $236,300 | 28.8% | 12.6% |
| Meridian | 34,137 | $36,562 | $107,900 | 21.8% | 34.3% |
Population Overview
Jackson is a major urban center located in Mississippi, within Hinds County. The total population is 146,631. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jackson is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jackson is $42,071. This is 25% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.9%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $111,700. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Jackson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson is Black or African American, making up 81.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.3%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.7% vs 36.3%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jackson, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jackson, Mississippi?
Jackson, Mississippi has a population of 146,631 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jackson, MS?
The median household income in Jackson is $42,071, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jackson, MS?
The poverty rate in Jackson is 27.9%. This means approximately 39,303 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jackson, Mississippi?
Jackson's population is 13.3% White, 81.7% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jackson, MS?
The median home value in Jackson is $111,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Jackson, Mississippi?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Jackson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.